Katie Boulter on course for new career-high ranking after Miami Open win
The rise of Great Britain’s Katie Boulter continues and she is eyeing up a new career-high ranking after getting through to the third round at the Miami Open.
Boulter reached the third round of the Miami Open for the first time after opponent Brenda Fruhvirtova retired with illness.
The British number one, who received a first-round bye as the 24th seed, was leading 7-6 (5) 1-0 15-0 when 16-year-old wild card Fruhvirtova, who appeared to be struggling with the heat, headed to her chair.
The young Czech, who was short on tennis coming into the tournament having been under the weather, called the doctor for the first time leading by a break of serve at 5-4 in the opening set.
Boulter eventually took the set in a tie-break and had broken to start the second before Fruhvirtova called the doctor again and then decided she could not continue.
She is not the first player to struggle in Miami this week, with Frenchman Arthur Cazaux collapsing on court during a qualifying match, while Matteo Berrettini looked close to fainting against Andy Murray on Wednesday.
Boulter had made a shaky start and admitted she found it hard to concentrate amid her opponent’s difficulties, telling Sky Sports: “I actually think it’s one of the toughest things to do.
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“Halfway through the match I’m seeing her coaches telling her to pull and then she’s not, so obviously there’s a lot going on. One minute she’s struggling to put the ball in the court and the next she’s running 10 shots side to side so it’s a tough mental game.
“For me, it was challenging today and I probably wasn’t the kindest to myself but we live and learn.”
Former British No 1 Tim Henman suggested Boulter was not at her best in a challenging match, but he saluted her resilience.
“It’s about finding a way to get the victory. People talk about winning ugly, and it wasn’t pretty at times for Boulter,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
“She lost her first service game, and you felt she was always playing catch-up.
“She didn’t panic, she had to fight hard, she had to keep her emotions in check, but she got the win and is through to the third round.
“I bet she’ll play better in the next round. There’s many ways to beat people, and sometimes to stay in rallies and extend them is the way.
“Boulter isn’t scared to take the ball on when she has the opportunity. Her athletic ability has improved so much.
“She’s made big strides. The offensive game will always be there, but the stronger she is in defence will be another string to her bow.”
Boulter’s best run in Miami means she is on course to claim the highest ranking of her career, with the live rankings suggesting she is currently at No 26. That is one place ahead of her current WTA ranking.
She now faces a step up in class as Beatriz Haddad Maia is waiting in the next round, where a victory would push Boulter close to her next big target – a place in the top 20 of the rankings.
